Publications by authors named "Laura Rubio"

This work evaluated the addition of the polyphenol-rich bioactive extract "e-Vitis", derived from grape marc (the main by-product of the wine industry), into swine feed. This was performed with the aim of testing the in vivo bioavailability of functional compounds, mainly phenolics, through the digestive system and excreta, together with the detection of bioconversion products associated with gut microbiota improvements. Additionally, the palatability of e-Vitis feed was evaluated, as well as the absence of metabolites that could compromise its innocuity.

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Micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) are environmental contaminants originating mainly from plastic waste degradation that pose potential health risks. Inhalation is a major exposure route, as evidenced by their detection in human lungs, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) among the most abundant particles in respiratory airways. However, the harmful effects of particle bioaccumulation remain unclear, as chronic effects are understudied.

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Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are emerging environmental pollutants that have garnered significant attention over the past few decades due to their detrimental effects on human health through various exposure pathways. This study investigates the impact of MNPLs on gut microbiota, utilizing Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Drosophila was selected for its microbiota's similarities to humans and its established role as an accessible and well-characterized model system.

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Oak ( spp.) acorns are used in animal feed and in the treatment of specific diseases due to their nutritional value and high content of bioactive compounds. The aim of the present work is to investigate and compare polyphenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of and acorn extracts.

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The expected increments in the production/use of bioplastics, as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, require a deep understanding of their potential environmental and health hazards, mainly as nanoplastics (NPLs). Since one important exposure route to NPLs is through inhalation, this study aims to determine the fate and effects of true-to-life polylactic acid nanoplastics (PLA-NPLs), using the in vitro Calu-3 model of bronchial epithelium, under air-liquid interphase exposure conditions. To determine the harmful effects of PLA-NPLs in a more realistic scenario, both acute (24 h) and long-term (1 and 2 weeks) exposures were used.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examined the shoulder anatomy in adults, focusing on the muscles and their relationships using ultrasound, dissection, and microscopic techniques on 34 human shoulders.
  • The findings showed that while ultrasound and dissection measurements are correlated, dissection provided more accurate thickness measurements for tendons and fascia, except for a few specific cases.
  • The research highlighted significant anatomical interconnections between shoulder structures, indicating that injury to one area could affect adjacent tissues, and provided reference values for tendon and fascia thicknesses, with no gender differences observed.
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The presence of plastic waste in our environment has continued growing and become an important environmental concern. Because of its degradation into micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs), MNPLs are becoming environmental pollutants of special environmental/health concern. Since ingestion is one of the main exposure routes to MNPLs, the potential effects of digestion on the physicochemical/biological characteristics of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs) were determined.

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The increased presence of secondary micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment requires urgent studies on their potentially hazardous effects on exposed organisms, including humans. In this context, it is essential to obtain representative MNPL samples for such purposes. In our study, we have obtained true-to-life NPLs resulting from the degradation, via sanding, of opaque PET bottles.

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Temporary tattoos and dyes are increasing popularity as an alternative to permanent ones. However, knowledge on its elementary composition is scarce and, this scientific gap can potentially make them a source of heavy metal exposure on humans. The present research aimed to explore the possibility of using the inorganic chemical signature to characterize natural pigments-based products and to evaluate the heavy metal content in jagua temporary tattoos and henna temporary hair dyes and tattoos.

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A scalable procedure with minimum energy requirements, MSAT (Medium Scale Ambient Temperature), in combination with solvents generally recognized as safe (GRAS), has been optimized to obtain polyphenolic extracts from white grape () marc. The solvents considered were propylene glycol (Pg), ethanol (Et), and ethyl lactate (Lc), as well as their respective hydro-organic mixtures. In a first approach, the operating parameters were optimized through a response surface matrix: extraction solvent volume (range 10-150 mL), marc mass (range 20-200 g) and marc/dispersant mass ratio (range 0.

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  • The study examines the effects of phenol-rich olive oils (OOs), particularly virgin olive oil (VOO), on cardiovascular health among individuals with high cholesterol.
  • Thirty-three participants consumed different types of OOs for three weeks, which varied in phenolic compounds (PCs) content, while various health metrics were measured.
  • Results showed that phenol-enriched OOs significantly altered metabolic profiles, reducing metabolites linked to cardiometabolic diseases compared to VOO.
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The potential genotoxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles (NPs) is a conflictive topic because both positive and negative findings have been reported. To add clarity, we have carried out a study with two cell lines (V79-4 and A549) to evaluate the effects of TiO NPs (NM-101), with a diameter ranging from 15 to 60 nm, at concentrations 1-75 μg/cm. Using two different dispersion procedures, cell uptake was determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

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Micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are emergent environmental pollutants requiring urgent information on their potential risks to human health. One of the problems associated with the evaluation of their undesirable effects is the lack of representative samples, matching those resulting from the environmental degradation of plastic wastes. To such end, we propose an easy method to obtain polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics from water plastic bottles (PET-NPLs) but, in principle, applicable to any other plastic goods sources.

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Temporary tattoos and dyes constitute a great analytical challenge in relation to the regulatory control of their ingredients. Most of these commercial products are not labeled according to their content and their chemical nature is highly diverse. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze these complex samples to evaluate the potential presence of metallic impurities, to ensure the safety of cosmetic products contributing to health protection.

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Micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) are considered emergent pollutants widely spread over all environmental compartments. Although their potential biological effects are being intensively evaluated, many doubts remain about their potential health effects in humans. One of the most underdeveloped fields is the determination of the potential tumorigenic risk of MNPLs exposure.

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Red-fleshed apple cultivars with an enhanced content of anthocyanins have recently attracted the interest of apple producers and consumers due to their attractive color and promising added health benefits. In this paper, we provide the first comprehensive overview of new hybrid red-fleshed apples, mainly focusing on their (poly)phenolic composition, the effect of processing, the (poly)phenolic bioavailability and the biological effects. Evidence so far from and studies supports their added beneficial effects compared to common apples on health outcomes such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and immune function, which are mainly related to their specific (poly)phenol composition.

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The present study aimed to evaluate the metabolism and bioavailability of anthocyanins (ACN) and other phenolics from red-fleshed apple (RFA) and to define the intake biomarkers compared to common white-fleshed apple (WFA). Acute and sustained (6-week) interventions were combined in a randomized, controlled and parallel study with 121 hypercholesterolemic subjects. Another arm consuming ACN-rich infusion from aronia fruit (ARO) provided matched content and profile of ACN.

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Background: Pandemics and epidemics have represented public health emergencies with severe consequences at a global level. Primary care teams have played a crucial role in disease surveillance and monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic through early detection, contact tracing, and isolation of positive cases. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care teams regarding their internal dynamics and their professional performance.

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The increasing accumulation of plastic waste and the widespread presence of its derivatives, micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs), call for an urgent evaluation of their potential health risks. In the environment, MNPLs coexist with other known hazardous contaminants and, thus, an interesting question arises as to whether MNPLs can act as carriers of such pollutants, modulating their uptake and their harmful effects. In this context, we have examined the interaction and joint effects of two relevant water contaminants: arsenic and polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs), the latter being a model of nanoplastics.

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The impact of a red-fleshed apple (RFA) rich in anthocyanins (ACNs), a white-fleshed apple (WFA) without ACNs, and an extract infusion from fruit (AI) equivalent in dose of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (main ACN) as RFA was determined by the proteome profile of aorta and heart as key cardiovascular tissues. Hypercholesterolaemic Wistar rats were separated into six groups ( = 6/group; three males and three females) and the proteomic profiles were analyzed using nanoliquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. No adverse events were reported and all products were well tolerated.

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The aim of this study was to explore the factor structure of the MOS-SSS in a sample of community-dwelling Spanish older adults. The sample comprised 406 community-dwelling older adults aged between 65 to 99 years old (  = 74.88, SD = 6.

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Today, the skills-based approach is increasingly in demand by companies due, in large part, to the fact that it favors the management of human resources by focusing on individual capabilities; which, finally, improves the job profile of a company. As a result, choosing the right candidates has become increasingly selective. Universities, therefore, need to teach skills to improve the incorporation of graduates into the workplace making it as successful as possible.

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Background & Aims: Whether bioactive lysophospholipids (lyso-PLs) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) serve as non-invasive biomarkers in early human hypercholesterolemia (HC) is unknown. This study aimed to assess whether serum lyso-PLs and plasma TMAO may be suitable susceptibility/risk biomarkers of HC in humans. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate the relationships between targeted metabolites, diet composition and circulating liver transaminases, and verify these results in hamsters.

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Adolescence is the stage of development where the reward and emotional regulation systems are yet to be adjusted and where most excessive behaviors start, like smartphone abuse. In addition, in this evolutionary period adolescents are more susceptible to behavioral changes through specific interventions or educational programs. Thus, it is fundamental to analyze the personality profile of those adolescents showing excessive mobile phone usage to properly approach later prevention strategies.

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